My name is Nikita Khetarpal and I am the 2016-2017 Main Campus Representative to Wayne State University Student Senate.

A little background about myself: I am what is known as a "lifelong Wayne Stater". I was born at a Wayne State University-affiliated hospital to a Wayne State employee and went home the next day to DeRoy apartments on the Main Campus of Wayne State. Can you guess where I went to undergrad? Wayne State. And it came as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I stayed here for medical school.

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I graduated in 2015 with a BA in Political Science and matriculated into the medical school that same year. I was elected to the Wayne State University School of Medicine Student Senate as the Main Campus Rep and ran on the platform of being able to use my knowledge and experience as an undergraduate student at the institution to form a bridge between the medical school and undergraduate campuses.

My major goal for the year was to reform the shuttle service to change the medical campus shuttle stop from One Ford Place to Henry Ford Hospital. This would make the hospital more accessible to pre-medical and medical students and avoid having to use the HFH connector shuttle. Unfortunately, the finances and logistics did not pan out and I had to abandon the project. Nevertheless, I still have a few key goals for the year:

1. Raising awareness of CAPS services available to medical students2. Encouraging Wayne Med students to explore the new Student Center3. Encouraging Wayne Med students to study at one of the six libraries on Main Campus. 4. Encouraging student organizations and administration to host more events on Main Campus5. Working with the Admissions Department to increase the number of SOM tour opportunities available to Wayne pre-medical students.

One of the things that I would like to do is post up-to-date information on this blog regarding the university and changes that may impact medical and/or undergraduate students. If you would like to get in contact with me regarding a project or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at nkhetarp@med.wayne.edu.

I'd like to first begin by introducing myself. My name is Vineet K. Sharma and I'll be serving as the WSU SOM Main Campus Representative this upcoming year. I'm excited about this position and look forward helping our medical school further integrate itself within the main campus institution and grow it's affiliation amongst the various other professional/graduate programs. The first couple of meeting this year have really been about the new changes that have been implemented for the upcoming year. They include a new free shuttle service on Friday/Saturday nights from (9pm-2:30am) for WSU students that begin last week, which will take students from WSU campus/University tower to Downtown Detroit & Greektown. This is particularly helpful for the studio 1 and UT students when the medical school holds it PEP in downtown! Another exciting change for us as students this year is that at most restaurants (nearly 96) around WSU campus/Midtown area provide 10% discount when you show your Onecard! So be sure to take your card and save some money! The final new development that pertains to us, it that WSU campus will become fully Smoke Free begin Sept. 2015!

I received some clarification this week regarding WSU main campus funding regarding medical organizations, you may have heard that money was completely cut off, but this is not true. I've been told on travel funding is cut off, but student orgs can still apply for funding regarding large meetings, guest speakers, etc.

Finally, last week I sent out emails regarding the Deans Cup which is happening earlier this year with new participants in addition to the Law School, we have Pharmacy and Nursing! Our tentative schedule is for Oct. 17th/18th. Keep your eyes peeled for team captains seeking participants!

If you have any questions or concerns, or if you would like me to do anything for you regarding main campus, please feel free to contain me!

So, tonight was the last full meeting of the academic year for Senate on the main campus, and my last in this position. This being said, I would like to thank all my regular readers for providing so many fantastic comments and constructive feedback for my work this year.

As for tonight's meeting, the majority of the time was spent in conversation with Tim Michael, Associate VP for Business and Auxillary Operations and Chief Housing Officer, as well as Matt Wilton from Aramark. Senate made a point of promoting the need for improved weekend and holiday dining options on campus, and we had a very productive dialogue about providing options for a variety of dietary preferences. This included the update that as of now, there is no plan to bring the previously discussed Chik-fil-a location to WSU. Finally, we discussed how the coming renovations to the Student Center will impact dining services. There will be every effort to limit the negative effects of these renovations, and a schedule of closures will be found on the students centre website when available, here.

Of note from the Senate committee reports, the smoke free campus survey has been launched, and every student should have received an email to complete it. Don't let this slip by, take a couple minutes and let us know what you think of smoking on campus.

With that, I'll sign off. Thanks for the great year, and I would like to wish my successor Vineet Sharma the best of luck next year.

At tonight’s meeting we were joined by President Wilson, who openly addressed a number of concerns that we brought to him. He introduced the newly formed task force for a smoke-free campus at Wayne State University. This group is composed of faculty, administration, and two student representatives from senate. The group will seek to advance the previous work that has been performed evaluating the university’s options when it comes to smoking.

He briefly touched on budget concerns at the University, and informed us of his push for Pell Grant Funding in East Lansing. He continued to push for mobilization of a greater student voice from Wayne State University in the capital and political realm in general.

Next, representatives from the Gift of Life initiative on campus reminded us that next week is the last week of the Campus Challenge. If you want more information, it can be found here.

As you may have heard, Deans Cup is in the works with the Law School. It is scheduled for April 4th/5th. Keep your eyes peeled for team captains seeking participants!

Finally, Student Senate has introduced a new monthly faculty/staff appreciation award. Nominations for March are due next Tuesday. The form can be found here.

Senate on the main campus is back in action for the winter term, and I’ve got just a couple updates as we shake off the winter break cobwebs.

Pipeline is soon to be replaced with another, homegrown, site called Academica. Don’t fret though, as I’ve had it explained to me, it’s mostly a facelift to the current system, and all the same services currently offered will remain. The program will see a soft release starting later this spring, and the goal is to have it replace Pipeline for all students by the fall.

As those familiar with the main campus and its goings on are already aware of, the student center is soon to undergo a massive overhaul, and if you’re interested in contributing to the discussion of it’s design there are planning meetings going on next Wednesday, January 22nd, in Hillberry A of the current student center at 6pm. At this point, the big picture design has been outlined, but these meetings include discussion of the finishing details of each of the different areas of the new building. More details can be obtained through Tim Michael, the Assoc. VP Business and Auxillary Operations and Chief Housing Officer for WSU (there website/contact info is here).

More directly medical campus related, planning for the annual Dean's Cup with the WSU Law School is underway. Expect an introductory update regarding this in the near future!

Finally, we will be joined by the President of WSU, Dr. M Roy Wilson, at our general meeting on February 20th. If you would like to attend, it will be at 6pm in Hilberry A of the Student Center on main campus.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns I’m more than happy to see if I can help.

Tonight’s meeting was attended by President Wilson and other members of the school’s Board of Governors. Highlights of their presentations include the creation of a working group for advancing the smoke-free campus initiative with a focus on current enforcement, information gathering on student feelings about a Chick-fil-A opening on campus, as well as a number of issues more pertinent to the undergraduate students.

Representatives from the Gift of Life Project asked members of Senate if there was any interest within the colleges to expand participation in their drive for organ donors this year. Their campaign last year saw WSU place first in Michigan in the campus challenge, and they are looking for a repeat performance this year. A number of different Senate members expressed interest in the program, and hopefully I will have more information about this in the future. If you’re interested in more information, their webpage can be accessed here.

WSU is hosting the next meeting for the Students Association of Michigan on December 6-8th. If you’re not familiar with SAM, you can find more at their website here.

As always, any questions, comments, or earth-shattering revelations you’ve had can be shared in the comments sections or via email.

Reminder from library services that the Science/Engineering Library will be closing at the end of the semester.

Parking and Transportation Services presented to us about their current affairs. Of interest, they are looking into a video/intercom system at the entrances of all lots/structures for the future. Also, a reminder that there are cameras in a number of lots, which are not constantly monitored, but can be easily accessed by Community Safety if needed.

Next Week is International Education Week. President Wilson will be speaking to new initiatives at WSU with regards to this next Thursday, details here.

As reported by the Community Affairs Committee, Campus Safety checks the current blue lights around campus every month. Currently, there are 276 blue lights on campus, 21 of which are in the process of being repaired. They are found in most elevators, at building entrances, and on every level of parking structures. Future widespread expansion of the blue light program appears to be a difficult sell, however, other measures are being looked into to increase safety on our campus. First, the WSUPD have agreed to increase the number of patrols through the medical school area. They hope to have a greater visibility on Canfield in the near future. They also reminded us of the safe walk program that they offer; if you feel apprehensive about walking anywhere nearby call 313-577-2224, and an officer will come and escort you on your walk. Also, if you haven’t programmed the WSUPD number into your phone yet, do it now (313-577-2222).

On a more upbeat note, Wayne State’s football team plays Grand Valley tomorrow afternoon. Info here.

Finally, we will be joined at our meeting two weeks from now by President Wilson and the school’s Board of Governors.

As is always the case, any questions can be left in the comments section or sent to me by email.- John

Here’s some info from our meeting last night. We were joined by the fresh new face in the WSU President’s office this year, Dr. M. Roy Wilson, who officially took over the position as of August 1st 2013. He briefly outlined his major focuses for improving WSU, which include a focus on improved graduation rates, as well as an expansion of renovations to the Student Center’s 6th and 7th floors using the President’s Initiative Fund. With the Detroit Mayoral elections coming up, both candidates will be present on campus for an open forum with students. Details for this event can be found here. Student Senate discussed and voted to support a resolution for the Student Association of Michigan (SAM), where we will support maintaining its non-partisan status. This is to be achieved through addition of the following SAM bylaws: Article XII Section 1 - The Student Association of Michigan shall not donate any funds to any political candidate or legislator at any time, nor shall it create another organization with the purpose of doing so. Section 2 - The Student Association of Michigan shall not endorse any political candidate or party in any manner, as the Association’s purpose is to endorse and advocate for particular issues for the sole purpose of benefiting the students it serves. The student code of conduct hearing committee is looking for members to serve this year. If you’re interested in getting involved with this, please email me asap. UofM Dearborn is hosting a TEDx Conference this weekend. More information can be found here.

Finally, the Director of Parking Services will be in attendance at our next Senate meeting, so any questions or concerns can be left as a comment or emailed to me directly.

Here’s another update from the main campus! Aramark is in the transition of taking over the food services on campus. This includes our cafeteria in Scott Hall. They are very receptive to feedback, so let them know if anything isn’t up to par. They are also in the process of renovations all around campus, so changes will be coming to a number of locations, more information to come. An update about the basketball game against Michigan on November 4th, the athletic department is organizing at least 4 fan buses from campus to the game in Ann Arbor. Prices for this event are still being figured out, and when these and sales dates for tickets are available I’ll update you further. As for other WSU sporting events, I discovered that all WSU students get free admission and parking for events with their OneCard! Mind-blowing, right? Along the same lines, football season is upon us, tailgating is abound, and the schedule can be found here. Also, reminder that this weekend is homecoming at WSU. Event schedules can be found here. -John

Hey WSU SOMers, here are some quick updates from the Student Senate meeting tonight on main campus! Efforts are being initiated to increase the number of blue lights south of the Wayne State campus in efforts to increase student safety in this area. Although this project is just getting off the ground the hopes are that a number of new lights will be put in place in an area that encompasses the Medical School along with University Towers areas (among others). Homecoming on the main campus is right around the corner (October 2nd-5th), and information on what events are available here.

Finally, the College Basketball Schedule was recently announced, and Wayne State opens their season with an exhibition game against the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on November 4th. So whether you’re an ex-Wolverine looking for an excuse to go for a visit, or anybody looking for another reason to get their hate on for UofM, this is an opportunity to put your studying on hold for a couple hours.- John